A Plean man was found to have a rare cancer after he ate a dodgy steak pie which gave him food poisoning.
William Dunnachie was given the devastating diagnosis when he was admitted to Forth Valley Royal Hospital unwell after eating a steak pie supper he had eaten from a takeaway.
The 69-year-old is now cancer free after undergoing treatment for the disease and taking part in a clinical trial for a new drug.
Mr Dunnachie was one of the patients at Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre (BWoSCC) taking part in the trial for Pembrolizumab, a specially designed immune-stimulating drug which helps minimise the chances of kidney cancer recurring.
The drug has now been officially approved for use by the SMC and up to 100 people in Scotland will benefit each year.
As surgeons performed emergency surgery on Mr Dunnachie’s gallbladder – which can react to certain high-fat and processed foods – eagle-eyed consultants spotted abnormalities on his kidney.
Following a referral, William, who lives with wife Beth, was quickly operated on at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, and both the gallbladder and kidney was removed.
After surgery, Mr Dunnachie jumped at the opportunity to be admitted to the Keynote-564 trial, which involved a 12-month course of drug designed to prevent the recurrence of kidney cancer.
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Led by Dr Balaji Venugopal, Consultant in Medical Oncology and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre Glasgow, William was closely monitored, and now, nearly five years later, remains cancer free.
Mr Dunnachie said: “I just feel extremely lucky. If I hadn’t bought that steak pie, I might not be here today. You could say it helped save my life. But the team at The Beatson have been fantastic throughout my experience, and I was delighted to be able to give something back by participating in the trial.
“Now it’s been approved, it’s humbling to know it will help potentially thousands of people in the future.”
Dr Venugopal said: “Many patients who have a cancerous kidney removed at surgery will be cured, but, in some, the cancer will recur, and it may spread to other parts of the body.
“The Keynote 564 trial has shown that patients who receive an immune-stimulating drug called pembrolizumab for a year after surgery have a significantly lower risk of recurrence.
“This is the first time an immune-stimulating drug has been shown to do this.
"A team of dedicated patients and staff at The Beatson took part in this trial, which was conducted all over the world, and the results of the trial are promising for our patients.
“It is exciting to note that Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has now approved pembrolizumab to be available to all patients in this situation in NHS Scotland.”
For the retired labourer, the removal of the cancerous kidney and participation in the programme has given him a new lease of life.
He added: “I’m just here to enjoy myself now, and take everything day by day.
“While I’m thankful the cancer was spotted thanks to a steak pie, I’m not sure I’ll be eating anymore any time soon.”
